The signs pointing to both possibilities are troublesome, to say the least.

The New York Times reported yesterday, via an unidentified insider at the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), that Cuomo intends to “limit [shale gas] drilling to the deepest areas of the Marcellus Shale rock formation, at least for the next several years, in an effort to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination.”

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration is pursuing a plan to limit the controversial drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing to portions of several struggling New York counties along the border with Pennsylvania, and to permit it only in communities that express support for the technology.

As part of that review, the NRDC memo asked regulators to consider a three-year demonstration project in several “geographically limited areas.” Depending on the outcome, the state could then decide whether to “advance further a broader HVHF (High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing) program.” The memo was signed by NRDC senior attorneys Eric Goldstein and Kate Sinding, and consultant Craig Michaels.

[The Times] story did not specifically link Cuomo’s approach to the NRDC proposal, although Cuomo’s plan squares with the NRDC recommendations, and activists are disappointed with the NRDC for putting it on the table to begin with. Robert Kennedy Jr. serves as a senior attorney for the NRDC and sits on a panel that advices [sic] the DEC on it’s [sic] approach to shale gas.

“We were clear that we were neither specifically endorsing any of these alternatives nor were we presupposing that any level of development should be approved – simply that the state cannot fully evaluate fracking here without an in-depth analysis of any and all scenarios that could take place here.” Sinding added: “We regret that these comments have created concern and confusion. We stand with our partners across New York State in calling for a continued moratorium on new fracking until the environmental and health risks are fully and properly considered.”
[Read NRDC's full statement at Wilber's blog in the comments section.]

Instead of defending these communities, which is NRDC's self-appointed charge, the organization provided to the DEC in great detail a plan that sounds a lot like the very plan that is today being floated by the Cuomo administration: partitioning the state into frack and no frack zones in a way that will, if implemented, place the Southern Tier on the far side of the shale gas curtain.

Previous Comments

I want to be clear – NRDC has not, and does not, in any way endorse demo projects. To suggest otherwise is misleading and inaccurate.

As I told Tom Wilber, NRDC continues to fully support the ongoing moratorium on fracking in New York as the state evaluates any and all potential scenarios and associated risks that could emerge here. And, as we have long stated, we do not believe fracking should be permitted unless and until the state is able to show New Yorkers’ water, health and environment would be fully protected.

While the state continues its environmental review process of proposed fracking, we believe there are still too many unanswered questions for the state to consider moving forward now – in limited places or otherwise.

Last week, I posted a statement from NRDC that elaborates on this here: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ksinding/no_limited_fracking_in_ny_befo.html

NRDC’s focus remains standing up to the big oil and gas companies that have been running roughshod across communities nationwide for too long. We will continue fighting alongside our colleagues in other environmental organizations to ensure this is not allowed to happen in New York.

Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.

There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.

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